SCA Survey --Major Problems identified in Northwest Branch--

Northwest Branch watershed - 9
We encourage citizens to visit the sites in person in order to see the damage firsthand. Because the stream changes constantly, it may have features differing from pictures shown on this website.
Mouse over the numbers in the map below, then click it to enlarge the picture.

Bonus Pictures on this page!

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218103 (Comment) (N39.03235, W77.0073833)

One might say, "What is a problem in this picture?" But, there are potential problems.
This picture was taken at a little upstream point from the Burnt Mills Dam.
The dam makes water stagnant and it slows the velocity and reduces turbulence
which would help supply oxygen into the water. These are the potential problems:

The dam makes stagnant water. Once water becomes stagnant, organic matters in the water begins/tend to decay. The decaying consumes dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water. Decaying increases turbidity. Stagnant water is likely to subject water temperature increase easier because of the broader surface, darker water, and so on.

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218110 (Unusual Condition) (N39.03735, W77.0114167)

This is not so significant (compared to cases I have ever seen) but algae are emerging.
The brown (orange) matter which covers the river bed is iron.

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218112 (Exposed Pipe) (N39.03295, W77.0088333)

Site#	Date	Location of Pipe	Type	Diameter (in)	Length (ft)	Purpose	Discharge
218112	4/14/2005	exposed manhole	concrete	36	100	sewage	no

This pipe is identified as exposed pipe but usually this is not a problem (however, one might say it is esthetically problem) because it is designed to cross above a stream. However, the supports to the pipe is being undermined and in danger of collapse. If this happens, the damage to the environment would be significant.

Steven Shofar of WSSC comments regarding this pipe and its supports:
"The trusses that are seen above the sewers were designed to support the sewer independently of the piers shown in the photographs. The trusses were designed and installed because the piers were failing.
The WSSC does not anticipate any problems with the sewer based on the position of the piers underneath the sewer."

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219103 (Exposed Pipe -manhole stack) (N39.0393167, W77.0114)

Site#	Date	Location of Pipe	Type	Diameter (in)	Length (ft)	Purpose	Discharge
219103	4/14/2005	exposed manhole	concrete+brick	36		sewage	no

This stack is in under the pressure from flushing stormwater. The metal lid and rim is vulnerable.
On storm events, the stack gets damage from a flushing stormwater. See the diagrammatic explanation
shown below for the relationship between this stack and the flushing stormwater (see 219104).

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219104 (Unusual Condition) (N38.9769833, W76.9657667)

This is a flushing stormwater way. We cannot see a stream in dry-weather conditions.

Upstream of the flushing stormwater way. It is a little difficult to see from this picture but erosion can be seen.

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219106 (Unusual Condition) (N38.97825, W76.9652167)

This is another flushing stormwater way.

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Bonus Picture

Encountered beaver!

 

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Special thanks to Clair Garman of the Friends of Sligo Creek for his help in editing this page. He is also a member of the Neighbors of Northwest Branch.